Working Out Your Acting Muscles: OBSERVATION

As actors, we are very much a reflection of the world around us. But before we can reflect it we must first see it. We need to get ourselves out of the SCAN mode and actually observe and retain what we see passing our lives.


What's different? In pairs actors face one another and examine the details of their partner. Back to back they change 3 things about how they look. Facing each other again, they must say what is different.

EXPOSURE: LOOK AT US AND WE’LL LOOK AT YOU - Divide group into two teams. Have one group stand and another group sit (Audience). Have them observe each other. They will begin to feel very uncomfortable but keep encouraging them to observe each other. Do not allow audience to laugh. THEN GIVE GROUP ON STAGE AN ACTIVITY TO DO.
Swap Groups
Evaluation: How did you feel? How actors look on stage? Describe your physical responses. How did you stomach feel? How did you feel when you were counting the boards? Did your fluttering stomach? Moist hands? Etc

Got other examples of exercises that build this muscle? Post them in comments!